About The Song
The arrival of ABBA‘s 2021 album Voyage was more than just a reunion; it was a global event, a reconnection with arguably the most beloved pop group of all time. While lead singles like “I Still Have Faith In You” and “Don’t Shut Me Down” showcased newly written material reflecting the passage of time, the Voyage project also included a delightful surprise – a track rescued from the band’s extensive archives. Released as a single in October 2021 shortly before the album, “Just A Notion” offered fans an electrifying blast from the past, a song largely recorded decades earlier but polished for the present day.
The history of “Just A Notion” is intriguing. Written by the formidable duo Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, the track was originally recorded way back in 1978, during the vibrant sessions for what would become the Voulez-Vous album. For reasons perhaps known only to ABBA themselves – maybe it felt slightly out of step with the disco leanings of that era, or perhaps a bit too joyfully straightforward – the song was shelved. Decades later, for the Voyage project, Andersson and Ulvaeus revisited the track, keeping the original lead vocals laid down by Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad in 1978, but recording fresh instrumental backing tracks to give it a contemporary sheen while honoring its origins.
Listening today, April 4, 2025, “Just A Notion” feels like discovering a hidden gem from ABBA‘s golden age. The musical style is pure, exhilarating late-70s pop with strong rock and roll underpinnings. It bursts with energy, driven by a rollicking, almost barrelhouse piano line, energetic drumming, pulsing bass, and layers of bright guitars. It lacks the overt disco polish of much of the Voulez-Vous material, leaning instead towards an earlier, more purely exuberant pop sound reminiscent perhaps of their mid-70s work. The tempo is relentlessly upbeat, and the mood is one of unadulterated joy, optimism, and infectious enthusiasm. It’s the sound of ABBA having unfiltered fun in the studio.
The vocal performances by Agnetha and Frida, captured back in 1978, are a delight. Their voices sound bright, youthful, and full of vigor, perfectly matching the song’s upbeat energy. They share lead vocal duties, trading lines and joining together in those classic, soaring ABBA harmonies that are instantly recognizable and utterly irresistible. Hearing their younger voices paired with the newly recorded, powerful backing track creates a unique bridge across time – a dialogue between ABBA then and ABBA now.
Thematically, “Just A Notion” is built around a feeling of buoyant optimism and intuition regarding a potential connection. The lyrics express the narrator’s strong hunch – merely a “notion” – that a positive feeling or attraction they possess is reciprocated by another person (“Oh yeah, you feel it too, just a notion / That you’re messing with my emotion”). It captures that exciting, slightly uncertain spark of believing something good might be happening, the hopeful anticipation that a shared understanding or mutual positive regard exists, even without concrete confirmation. It’s a celebration of optimistic intuition and the simple joy found in the possibility of connection. The song bubbles with the lighthearted confidence that this positive feeling must surely be shared.
The release of “Just A Notion” in 2021 served several purposes for the Voyage project. It provided fans with the thrill of hearing a long-rumored, unreleased track from the archives. It offered a direct, undiluted link back to their classic sound, showcasing the youthful energy of their prime. And it added a different flavour to the album, complementing the more reflective, newly written material with a burst of pure, classic ABBA exuberance.
In conclusion, “Just A Notion” is a joyous rediscovery, a vibrant time capsule from ABBA‘s late-70s peak, lovingly completed for their 21st-century comeback. With its infectious rock-and-roll infused pop energy, the undeniable charm of Agnetha and Frida‘s youthful 1978 vocals, and its theme of effervescent optimistic intuition, the song is pure ABBA delight. It stands as a wonderful bridge between the band’s legendary past and their remarkable return on Voyage, a welcome gift to fans old and new.